Xylopia aethiopica is a multi-purpose Non Timber Forest Product (NTFP) which products are consumed across Africa. This study aimed at generating useful information to support the sustainable management of Xylopia aethiopica in southern Benin. A survey was carried out to interview 122 stakeholders, including consumers and traders. Data were collected on the consumption of Xylopia aethiopica products, the income generated by their marketing, and the management the species trees by local people. As results, the species was mainly used in traditional medicine. Other forms of consumption included: spiritual rituals, fuelwood, food, and construction timber. Among Xylopia aethiopica products, the fruits were the most commercialized. The stakeholders operating in the commercialization system were: collectors, processors-wholesalers, and retailers. The gross margin per 100 kg of fruits averaged XOF 4500 for collectors and processorsEuropean Scientific Journal November 2017 edition Vol.13, No.33 ISSN: 1857 -7881 (Print) e -ISSN 1857 188 wholesalers, and XOF 2500 for retailers. Xylopia aethiopica trees were privately managed based on land ownership. Given the decrease of the species, because of over-exploitation and cultural beliefs, the sensitizing of local people and the promotion of domestication are expected to support its conservation.

Shallow lentic freshwater aquatic systems are globally important emitters of methane (CH4), a highly potent greenhouse gas. Previous laboratory studies indicated that bioturbation by chironomids can reduce CH4 production and increase CH4 oxidation by enhancing oxygen transport into sediment. Thus, reduction in chironomid density by application of biocides for mosquito control, such as Bacillus thuringinesis var. israelensis (Bti), have the potential to affect CH4 emissions. We evaluated the effect of a 41% reduction in chironomid larvae abundance due to Bti applications on CH4 dynamics in the aquatic and aquatic-terrestrial transition zones of 12 floodplain pond mesocosms (FPMs) (half treated, half control). We evaluated short-term (2 months) and seasonal effects by measuring CH4 emissions, dissolved concentrations, and oxidation rates in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. On average, CH4 emissions from the aquatic-terrestrial transition zone of the treated FPMs were 137 % higher than those of the control FPMs. The lack of differences in mean oxidation rates between the treated and control mesocosms suggests that a reduction in bioturbation and the associated decreased oxygen transport into the sediment promoted CH4 production in the treated FPMs. Our findings point to potential effects of Bti on CH4 biogeochemistry through alterations of the chironomid abundance, and highlight the underestimated role of invertebrates in biogeochemical cycling in these ecosystems.

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science projects, but also data providers, relatively early on. However, at the core and perhaps the most important factor contributing to the successful continuity of this project, is the dedication and engagement of the CLIC community scientists. We are incredibly fortunate that our community scientists are passionate and supportive of this work.To date, this project has collected over 52,500 lake ice phenology observations for 1008 lakes, and involved 935 monitors over the years (Fig. 3). As we work toward organizing these vast datasets, we look forward to exploring important questions on how climate change is affecting lake ice phenology across small and large lakes in the United States and identifying which lakes are most vulnerable to rapid ice loss. AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONSS conceived the idea and led the project. SS and LSL wrote the first draft. KB created figure 3. LSL, AB, KB, KS, DB, GB, and SS helped conceptualize the survey questions for the community scientists, contextualize the historical aspects of the project, and edited the manuscript. ACKNOWLEDGMENTSFirst and foremost, the authors are indebted to the participants and citizen scientists from the Community Lake Ice Collaboration for their dedication and enthusiastic efforts to collect lake ice phenology data from their local lakes over the past 30 years.